GraveReign is the brainchild of David “Shred Demon” Shankle (Manowar, DSG) and Tony “I don’t need no damned nickname” Engel (Veilside, ASC) Longtime friends found the opportunity to write and the resulting effort, “Destination: Aftermath” was the debut

Coming off the heels of the acclaimed debut “Destination: Aftermath,” David Shankle (ex-Manowar) and Tony Engel (ex-Veilside) dive into the darkest corners of human history with their upcoming album “Icon of the Accursed,” set for release via FireRock Music Group in July 2026.

The album takes a grim thematic turn, exploring real-world evil—from notorious serial killers and destructive cults to infamous rulers such as Genghis Khan, who is often believed to have been responsible for the deaths of a staggering portion of the global population during his era. It’s a concept that leans heavily into history’s most unsettling chapters, pairing aggressive musicianship with provocative storytelling.

This time around, Shankle and Engel aren’t going it alone. They’ve expanded the lineup with bassist Mick Lucid, rhythm guitarist and backing vocalist Jack Lazor, and drummer/percussionist Michael Ray—bringing a fuller, more dynamic band sound to the project.

If Destination: Aftermath established their identity, Icon of the Accursed looks poised to push it further—both musically and thematically—into darker, heavier territory.

It was a great pleasure to have the legends David &. Tony on the Interview to speak on Icon of the Accursed the upcoming killer record from GraveReign. Check out the complete coverage on the below YouTube video.